Anti-incumbency factor will not dent Congress in Mizoram polls: Faleiro

Aizawl: Despite reports thatinternal squabbles and anti-incumbency factors are making the situation difficult for the Congress in Mizoram, AICC general secretary in charge of Northeast Luizinho Faleiro on Wednesday said that the anti-incumbency is not an issue and would not dent the party chance of winning assembly polls.

Mizoram goes to poll on 28 November.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference here, Faleiro said the Congress government have done great things for the people of Mizoram.

“Mizoram achieved tremendous development under the Congress government. The state has progressed not only in economy and social sectors but also in infrastructures. People reposed faith in Lal Thanhawla leadership. Anti-incumbency is not an issue and it would not affect the Congress. We would make a hat-trick,” he said.

Hitting out at opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), Faleiro said there was rampant corruption and law and order was virtually collapsed during the MNF rule in or before 2008.

He said that Mizoram ushered in changes and the GSDP began to increase beyond the national average from 2009 after Congress came back to power in 2008.

According to the Congress leader, the per capita income of the state has also increased tremendously after Congress implemented flagship programme New Land Use Policy (NLUP), which benefited over 1.68 lakh people.

He said that New Land Use Policy (NLUP) was a massive success due to which others states are looking towards Mizoram to adopt NLUP like policy.

Fleiro claimed that Mizoram is marching ahead towards development under the leadership of Lal Thanhawla as many important projects were being lunched in the state.

Faleiro expressed hope that Mizoram would be a game changer at national scenario.

He asked the people of the state to ensure that the BJP agenda of nurturing communal politics is not fulfilled in the state.

Mizoram is the last Congress-ruled state in the northeast.

The party is yet to finalise candidates for the upcoming assembly polls, though it had earlier announced that name of the candidates would be released on Thursday.

Faleiro said that the party is trying to bring new faces this time by axing out 30 per cent of sitting MLAs.

He said that a screening committee meeting will be convened on Wednesday evening to finalise the party official candidates.

The decision of the meeting was not known till this report is filed.

After winning the state assembly elections for second consecutive term since 2008, the Congress is facing tough challenge this time due to internal squabble and anti-incumbency wave.

Former home minister and Congress second top brass R. Lalzirliana resigned from Lal Thanhawla’s cabinet on 14 September. He was later expelled from the party on 17 September. Lalzirliana will contest from his home turf Tawi constituency as MNF nominee.

Another sitting Congress legislator and former health minister Lalrinliana Sailo also resigned from the party and joined MNF recently.

Meanwhile, sources said that 36 Congress units in Chalfilh constituency have surrendered their party seals after the party decided to replace constituency MLA Ngurdingliana.

Former Mizoram IGP LT Hrangchal, who joined Congress on Monday is likely to contest from Chalfilh against MNF nominee Lalrinliana Sailo.